FREE Volcano Bay Touring Plan – Accurate & Up-to-Date

The purpose of this plan is to give you a touring plan for visiting all of the attractions at Universal Orlando’s Volcano Bay in one day. It’s written for guests without Express Passes (but if you do have Express access, be sure to check out our complete guide for full details).

Skip to: Overview | Arrival | Priority Attractions | Weather

The Basics

Previously, Volcano Bay offered a Virtual Line system through the TapuTapu wearable, which allowed guests to “tap in” and receive a return time instead of waiting in a physical line. While that system has now been retired, the park still offers:

• Traditional standby queues at all slides and attractions.
• Digital wait time boards posted outside each ride.
• Early Park Admission (EPA) for select guests remains a powerful advantage.

This means touring efficiently is all about arriving early, prioritizing high-demand attractions first, and knowing which slides tend to build the longest waits.

When to Arrive at Volcano Bay

• With Early Park Admission (EPA): Arrive 30 minutes before EPA begins. This gives you the best chance to experience the biggest slides before crowds build.
• Without Early Park Admission: Arrive 45 minutes before the published park opening time to be among the first in line.

Crowds build quickly, so the earlier you arrive, the better. Check the Orlando Informer crowd calendar for daily hours and expected crowd levels.

Volcano Bay Attractions to Prioritize

To experience every slide and minimize waits, we recommend the following order:

1. Krakatau Aqua Coaster – the park’s marquee attraction, with the longest lines later in the day.
2. Ko’okiri Body Plunge – for thrill-seekers only; a drop-door slide straight through the volcano.
3. Honu ika Moana – a twisting raft slides with high thrills.
4. Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slide – Ohno is more intense with a six-foot drop; Ohyah is milder at four feet.
5. Punga Racers – a fun, family-friendly racing slide.

Other Noteworthy Volcano Bay Slides

Tonga & Raki of Taniwha Tubes – usually manageable waits; Tonga is often the most fun tube option.

Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides – some of the most intense body slides with a drop door.

Maku & Puihi Round Raft Rides – Puihi delivers surprising airtime, while Maku is tamer.

What to Do Between Slides

If wait times build up, here are the best ways to relax and recharge:

• Drift in TeAwa the Fearless River for thrills or the Kopiko Wai lazy river for relaxation.
• Catch waves at Waturi Beach’s massive wave pool.
• Explore inside Krakatau and encounter the interactive volcano spirit.
• Play areas for kids: Runnamuka and Tot Tiki Reefs.
• Dining: Lines at Volcano Bay’s restaurants peak around 12:00–1:30 PM. That said, plan an early lunch (11:00 AM) or a late lunch (after 2:00 PM).

What time to arrive and how to best utilize Early Park Admission at Volcano Bay

Select guests are eligible for Early Park Admission to Volcano Bay. Our Early Park Admission guide provides all of the details.

If you’re able to, we highly recommend that you take advantage of EPA. You’ll still want to follow the order of attractions we suggested above, but you’ll be able to knock out a few far faster than you normally could. We recommend arriving 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start of Early Park Admission to maximize your touring and minimize the time you wait.

If you’re not eligible for EPA, you’ll want to arrive roughly 45 minutes prior to the scheduled park opening to ensure that you’re one of the first to enter. (If you’re not sure of the hours at Volcano Bay, take a look at our free crowd calendar.)

A note on inclement weather at Volcano Bay

Rainy afternoons can be a secret weapon. Lightning may temporarily shut down slides, but if you stick it out, you’ll often be rewarded with shorter waits once rides reopen. Some of the most memorable experiences happen when the crowds thin out after a storm.

We hope you had an awesome day at Volcano Bay!